Apparatus and method for communicating voice data in a wireless network

ABSTRACT

An apparatus that uses a method for processing handover by a terminal linked to a wireless network included in heterogeneous wireless networks and conducting a voice call service is provided. The method includes determining whether the terminal is required to perform handover of another wireless network included in the heterogeneous wireless networks, and upon determining that the handover is required, performing handover to the another wireless network, wherein the handover is determined by applying at least one handover condition to each of predetermined operation modes in the terminal conducting the voice call service.

PRIORITY

This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/668,273, filed on Mar. 25, 2015, and claimspriority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to Korean Patent Application SerialNo. 10-2014-0035283, which was filed in the Korean Intellectual PropertyOffice on Mar. 26, 2014, the content of each of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to apparatuses and methods forcommunicating voice data in a wireless network, and more particularly,to providing voice services by a terminal in heterogeneous wirelessnetworks.

2. Description of the Related Art

Wireless communication systems have been developed to providecommunication services while users are on the move. Wirelesscommunication systems started with voice communication services and cannow offer high-speed data communication services.

For example, wireless communication systems for high-speed datacommunication services have been evolved from 3rd generation partnershipproject (3GPP) systems to long term evolution (LTE) systems. LTE systemsmay serve data communications up to 100 Mbps.

LTE systems have evolved to LTE-advanced (LTE-A) systems to speed uptransmission. For ease of description, LTE system and LTE-A system arecollectively referred to as LTE system, hereinafter.

Wireless local area networks (WLANs) come in use for covering a shadowarea of a wireless communication service at low expenses. A WLAN isstructured to expand the service area with access points (APs).

A wireless device selects an AP and links up with the selected AP inorder to use communication services over a WLAN. For example, thewireless device can offer an AP selecting and linking schemes that arebased on a basic service set (BSS) load over the WLAN.

In a wireless network where LTE networks and WLAN networks are mixed up,seamless handover between a WiFi network and a cellular network may besupported. In such a case, the serving base station may determine ahandover to other base stations forming a heterogeneous network orhomogeneous network.

The handover procedure between heterogeneous networks or base stationsis typically performed by triggering the networks. However, handoverbetween heterogeneous voice services may be done by triggering theterminal. By way of example, the terminal may determine whether to handover between an LTE network-based voice service (Voice over LTE (VoLTE)service) and a WiFi network-based voice service (Voice over WiFi(VoWiFi) service) and trigger handover based on the determination. Insuch a case, the references by which the terminal determines whether tohand over may have a significant effect on handover performances.Accordingly, the references need to be prepared for enhancing theperformance of a handover between heterogeneous voice services.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made to address at least the abovementioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least theadvantages described below.

An aspect of the present invention provides a communication apparatusand method supporting voice services through handover betweenheterogeneous wireless networks.

Another aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus and methodfor stably switching voice services through handover betweenheterogeneous wireless networks.

Another aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus and methodfor preparing a reference for determining whether handover is needed forchanging a type of voice service in heterogeneous wireless networks anddetermines a handover based on the reference.

Another aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus and methodfor optimizing power consumption of a terminal upon supporting a voiceservice considering handover between heterogeneous wireless networks.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a method forprocessing handover by a terminal linked to a wireless network includedin heterogeneous wireless networks and conducting a voice call serviceis provided. The method includes determining whether the terminal isrequired to perform handover to another wireless network included in theheterogeneous wireless networks, and upon determining that the handoveris required, performing the handover to the other wireless network. Thehandover is determined by applying at least one handover condition toeach of predetermined operation modes in the terminal conducting thevoice call service.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an apparatus forprocessing handover by a terminal linked to a wireless network includedin heterogeneous wireless networks and conducting a voice call serviceis provided. The apparatus includes a control module that is configuredto determine whether the terminal is required to perform handover toanother wireless network included in the heterogeneous wirelessnetworks, and when the handover is required, control the handover to theother wireless network, and a wireless communication module that isconfigured to communicate a signal for one of the voice call service andthe handover under control of the control module. The control module isconfigured to determine whether the handover is required by applying atleast one handover condition to each of predetermined operation modesfor the voice call service.

An embodiment according to the present invention provides handover forcompatibility between a VoLTE service and a VoWiFi service, furthersatisfying a user of a voice service.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certainembodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from thefollowing detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of handover by a terminal inheterogeneous wireless networks, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a terminal supporting a voiceservice, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a system, according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a path for a voiceservice, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating another example of a path for avoice service, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of control flow where aterminal configures an operation mode for a voice communication servicein a mobile wireless network, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of control performed by aterminal, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of control flow of acellular preferred mode subroutine, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of control flow of a WiFipreferred mode subroutine, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method of control flow of acellular only mode subroutine, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method of control flow of a WiFionly mode subroutine, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a handover scenario, according to anembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating examples of sections where recognitionis required in an SRVCC handover procedure, according to an embodimentof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Hereinafter, examples of embodiments of the present invention areconfigured to achieve the above objects. For ease of description, thesame terms may be used throughout the specification to denote thecomponents. However, the scope of the present invention is not limitedby such terms, and the same or similar modifications may apply tosystems with similar technical backgrounds.

Schemes for allowing a terminal to stably hand over a voice servicebetween heterogeneous wireless networks are now described in detail.

To that end, according to embodiments of the present invention, todefine operation modes for voice services and to set an operation modethat is to be considered for a terminal to determine handover betweenheterogeneous wireless networks are described herein. The operation modemay be selected from among predefined operation modes.

The terminal of the present invention supports voice services through aplurality of wireless networks constituting heterogeneous wirelessnetworks.

The operation mode provides a user with an option allowing the user toselect a preferred wireless network for a voice service. For example,the terminal may support both a cellular network and a WiFi network aswireless networks for a voice service.

In such a case, the operation modes may be classified into a cellularpreferred mode, a WiFi preferred mode, a cellular only mode, and a WiFionly mode.

In the cellular preferred mode, priority is given to the cellularnetwork upon a voice service. The cellular preferred mode may support avoice service through the WiFi network only when the voice service isdifficult to support through the cellular network. Accordingly, theterminal with the operation mode set to the cellular preferred modewould support a voice service through the cellular network in case thecellular network is available. The voice service through the cellularnetwork may include a VoLTE service or a circuit switching (CS) voiceservice. The voice service through the wireless network may include aVoWiFi service.

For ease of description, the voice service through the cellular networkis referred to as a VoLTE service, and the voice service through thewireless network is referred to as a VoWiFi service. However, whenrequired to be distinguished further, the voice service through thecellular network may be distinctly referred to as a VoLTE service and aCS voice service.

In the WiFi preferred mode, priority is given to the WiFi network upon avoice service. The WiFi preferred mode may support a VoLTE service or aCS voice service only when the VoWiFi service is difficult to support.Accordingly, the terminal with the operation mode set to the WiFipreferred mode would support a VoWiFi service in case the WiFi networkis available.

The cellular only mode enables a voice service to be provided throughonly the cellular network. Accordingly, the terminal with the operationmode set to the cellular only mode would support a voice service througha VoLTE service or a CS voice service regardless of whether the cellularnetwork or the WiFi network is available.

The WiFi only mode enables a voice service to be provided through onlythe WiFi network. Accordingly, the terminal with the operation mode setto the WiFi only mode would support a voice service through a VoWiFiservice regardless of whether the cellular network or the WiFi networkis available.

The operation modes of the terminal may be fixed given the state of thenetworks or voice services.

Considering the operation modes defined above, handover may occur onlyin the cellular preferred mode and WiFi preferred mode. Accordingly, theterminal with the operation mode set to the cellular preferred mode orWiFi preferred mode should be able to select one of the VoLTE serviceand the VoWiFi service depending on circumstances. The terminal wouldperform a handover procedure when required to switch to a different typeof voice service.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a condition fordetermining handover for the terminal to switch voice service types(hereinafter, referred to a ‘handover condition’) is defined. Thehandover condition is defined given the operation modes of the terminal.By way of example, different conditions for determining handover tochange voice service types (hereinafter, referred to as ‘handoverconditions’) may apply to when the operation mode is set to the cellularpreferred mode and when the operation mode is set to the WiFi preferredmode. Different handover conditions being able to apply to the cellularpreferred mode and the WiFi preferred mode may be identified by theabove described definitions of the operation modes, as well.

For example, the terminal may determine handover conditions for each ofthe cellular preferred mode and the WiFi preferred mode based on thetype or quality of the voice service currently in use by the terminal.

For example, the terminal with the operation mode set to the cellularpreferred mode, even though a VoWiFi service is available while a VoLTEservice is being offered, performs handover for switching from the VoLTEservice to the VoWiFi service only when the VoLTE service is renderedimpossible to support. The terminal with the operation mode set to theWiFi preferred mode, even though a VoLTE service is available while aVoWiFi service is being offered, performs handover for switching fromthe VoWiFi service to the VoLTE service only when the VoWiFi service isrendered impossible to support.

The situation where the VoLTE service is impossible to support meansthat an LTE network-based voice call is impossible to maintain, and thesituation where the VoWiFi service is impossible to support means that aWiFi network-based voice call is impossible to maintain.

The terminal with the operation mode set to the cellular preferred mode,when the VoLTE service is rendered possible while the VoWiFi service isbeing offered, performs handover for switching to the VoLTE service. Theterminal with the operation mode set to the WiFi preferred mode, whenthe VoWiFi service is rendered possible while the VoLTE service is beingoffered, performs handover for switching to the VoWiFi service.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, another option egiven to the terminal for the VoWiFi service is to enable the terminalto designate a particular AP that is to receive the VoWiFi service.

For example, the user may set the terminal so that an AP installed inhis home or working place is designated as the particular AP that is toreceive a VoWiFi service. In such a case, the terminal provides theVoWiFi service through only the particular AP as set, not through anyother APs. The terminal grants priority to the particular AP allowed touse the VoWiFi service, attempting to access the particular AP earlierthan any other APs. Upon detecting the prioritized particular AP, theterminal, although already linked to other APs for a data service,attempts to connect to the particular AP.

Handover conditions for determining handover for each voice service typethat is being offered by the terminal with the operation mode set toeither the cellular preferred mode or the WiFi preferred mode are nowdescribed.

For example, the WiFi network may fail to provide seamlesscommunications despite the high signal strength, if there are many userslinked to the AP. Further, in a case where the users prefer the VoWiFiservice, if the VoWiFi service is available while a VoLTE service-basedvoice call goes on, handover for switching to the VoWiFi service needsto be done. However, when the user is on the move and thus passesthrough a number of WiFi areas, the terminal detects multiple APs,ending up with frequent handover. This may cause the quality of a voicecall to deteriorate or increase the likelihood of a voice call drop.

It is thus preferable for the terminal to perform handover according tothe following conditions.

First, when the terminal with the operation mode set to the cellularpreferred mode is conducting a voice call through the VoLTE service,even when detecting an AP where a voice call is available, the terminaldoes not attempt to switch to the VoWiFi service unless the terminal isunder the situation where the voice call through the VoLTE service isabout to drop. In other words, only when the voice call through theVoLTE service is about to drop does the terminal attempt to performhandover for switching to the VoWiFi service.

As an example, a first handover condition for the terminal, with theoperation mode set to the cellular preferred mode, to determine toswitch from VoLTE service to VoWiFi service requires that undercircumstances with no APs available for voice service, the signalquality of the LTE network does not meet a predetermined threshold leveland handover from the LTE network to a 2G or 3G network should not betriggered. The threshold level may be set, by the LTE network signalquality, to a value as high as the voice call through the VoLTE servicedoes not drop.

The handover from the LTE network to the 2G or 3G network is based onsingle radio voice call continuity (SRVCC) technology such asinter-radio access technology (IRAT) measurements. Hereinafter, handoverfrom LTE network to 2G or 3G network is denoted ‘SRVCC handover.’ APsavailable for voice services under the first handover condition may bedetermined by the following criteria:

1. APs connection to backbone: identifies whether a target AP isconnected with the Internet.

2. AP congestion: may be predicted using data such as contention windowsize or nodes (terminals) connected to a target AP.

3. Data reception rate through AP (throughput estimation): may bemeasured under circumstances where a data service is carried out throughWiFi, and a value measured upon a recent service may be put to use. Theterminal may measure the throughput of the target AP by receiving somedata for measuring throughput in an idle mode.

4. Round trip delay (RTD): checks a network delay using a test signalsuch as a ping. As an example, in the case of handover for VoWiFiservice, it may be determined by a response to signaling obtained bytriggering handover to an evolved packet data gateway (ePDG).

5. Terminal mobility: predicts terminal's current speed using a sensoror Doppler.

6. AP signal quality: received signal strength indication (RSSI) of asignal transmitted from AP, signal-to-noise ratio (SINR), and variationin the value.

7. Received packet error rate (PER).

Upon detecting an available WiFi network (available AP) based on theAP's throughput estimation among the above described criteria, thedetected available WiFi network (available AP) may be deemed to alsomeet the other criteria regarding AP's connection to backbone, APs'congestion, and signal quality. The criteria regarding RTD, terminalmobility, and packet error rate, may additionally apply to verifyingavailability of the WiFi network (AP) detected based on the estimationof an AP's throughput.

Accordingly, it may be preferable that the terminal detects an availableWiFi network (available AP) based on the throughput estimation andadditionally verifies the same according to the RTD, terminal mobilityand PER.

Second, in a case where the terminal with the operation mode set to thecellular preferred mode is in the middle of a voice call using theVoWiFi service, if the LTE network for VoLTE service is guaranteed forthe minimum quality, the terminal attempts handover for switching to theVoLTE service.

By way of example, in a second handover condition for the terminal withthe operation mode set to the cellular preferred mode, determining toswitch from VoWiFi service to VoLTE service is satisfied by offering theminimum signal quality (predetermined threshold level) at which the LTEnetwork may support the VoLTE service.

The threshold level in the first handover condition may be the same ordifferent from the threshold level in the second handover condition. Ina case where the threshold levels differ from each other, the thresholdlevel in the second handover condition may be set to be relativelyhigher than the threshold level in the first handover condition. This iswhy the handover as per the first handover condition is conducted undercircumstances where the WiFi network, which is effectively offering theVoWiFi service, is verified.

A signal quality of the cellular network may be defined using a valuesuch as RSSI, reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signalreceived quality (RSRQ), SINR, transmission/reception error rate at eachlayer including physical layer, protocol layer, Internet protocol (IP)layer, and voice process layer, or packet transmission/reception delay.

Third, in a case where the terminal with the operation mode set to theWiFi preferred mode is in the middle of a voice call through the VoLTEservice, the terminal, upon detecting an AP that is available for VoWiFiservice, attempts handover for switching to the VoWiFi service.

By way of example, in a third handover condition for the terminal withthe operation mode set to the WiFi preferred mode, determining to switchfrom VoLTE service to VoWiFi service, is satisfied by offering theminimum signal quality (predetermined threshold level) at which the WiFinetwork may support the VoWiFi service.

Fourth, in a case where the terminal with the operation mode set to theWiFi preferred mode is in the middle of a voice call through the VoWiFiservice, the terminal does not attempt handover for switching to theVoLTE service unless the voice call through the VoWiFi service is aboutto be interrupted or lost. In other words, only when the voice callthrough the VoWiFi service is about to be interrupted or lost does theterminal attempt to perform handover for switching to the VoLTE service.

By way of example, in a fourth handover condition for the terminal withthe operation mode set to the WiFi preferred mode, determining to switchfrom VoWiFi service to VoLTE service requires that, under the situationwhere a voice service is available in the LTE network, the signalquality of the WiFi network does not exceed a predetermined thresholdlevel. The threshold level may be equal to a value of a signal qualitythat allows the VoWiFi service to maintain a voice call.

The same reference that is used for determining an AP under the firsthandover condition may be applied to determine the signal quality.However, although the same reference can be applied, the first handovercondition and the fourth handover condition may differ from each other.For example, the first handover condition and the fourth handovercondition may adopt different values for the PER.

When the operation mode of the terminal is set to the cellular preferredmode, switching from VoLTE service to VoWiFi service is prevented, andwhen the operation mode of the terminal is set to the WiFi preferredmode, switching from VoWiFi service to VoLTE service is prevented.However, when the operation mode of the terminal is set to the cellularpreferred mode, switching from VoWiFi service to VoLTE service may beprevented, and when the operation mode set of the terminal is set to theWiFi preferred mode, switching from VoLTE service to VoWiFi service maybe prevented.

The internal path used to switch between the VoLTE service and VoWiFiservice is controlled depending on whether the terminal provides a voicecall through the VoLTE service or through the VoWiFi service. Forexample, the terminal activates modules necessary for voice calls fromamong the internal modules of the terminal. Here, activating ordeactivating the modules may include controlling power supplied thereto.Activating a module can include supplying power for operating the same,and deactivating a module can include supplying a minimum amount ofpower for operating the same. When a particular module is being suppliedwith the minimum operation power, this is referred to as a ‘power savingmode.’

The modules operating in power saving mode may vary depending on whetherthe terminal provides a voice call through VoLTE service or throughVoWiFi service. When the terminal switches service types for a voicecall, a change of modules operating in power saving mode may occur.

Further, a scheme for processing handover to keep a voice call stable ina case where the handover for switching from VoLTE service to VoWiFiservice and SRVCC handover are simultaneously triggered is provided.Accordingly, if an SRVCC handover is triggered by the network'sdetermination and handover for switching from VoLTE service to VoWiFiservice is triggered by the terminal's determination, the network andthe terminal are unable to identify a situation of triggering the twohandover procedures. If the two handover procedures are simultaneouslyperformed, a physical collision may arise, causing the voice call tointerrupted or dropped.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of handover by a terminal inheterogeneous wireless networks, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. It is assumed that in connection with FIG. 1 theheterogeneous wireless networks include an LTE network and a WiFinetwork. The LTE network may be an example of a cellular network.

Referring to FIG. 1, the terminal 130-a starts a voice call in the LTEnetwork 110 based on a VoLTE service. The terminal 130-a enters the WiFinetwork 120, and if a VoWiFi service is available, the terminal 130-aperforms handover for switching to the VoWiFi service (represented byreference number 130-b). The terminal 130-a may selects a predeterminedoperation mode and a predetermined handover condition. The terminal130-a, upon not meeting the predetermined handover condition, does notconduct handover. In such a case, the terminal 130-a maintains the VoLTEservice-based voice call.

The terminal 130-a, upon departing from the WiFi network 120, whileproviding the voice call based on the VoWiFi service, performs handoverfor switching to the VoLTE service (represented by reference number130-c). The terminal 130-a may select a predetermined operation mode anda predetermined handover condition. The terminal 130-a, upon not meetingthe predetermined handover condition, does not conduct handover. In sucha case, the terminal 130-a maintains the VoWiFi service-based voicecall.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a terminalsupporting a voice service, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. It is assumed that the terminal shown in FIG. 2 is supportiveof both a cellular network-based VoLTE service and a WiFi network-basedVoWiFi service. The cellular network includes a 2G network or 3Gnetwork, as well as the LTE network.

Referring to FIG. 2, the terminal 130-a (hereinafter, for ease ofexplanation, simply referred to as the terminal) includes a controlmodule 200, a speaker/microphone 210, a wireless communication module(or radio frequency (RF) module) 220, an input device 230, a touchscreen 240, and an external memory 250. There may be multiple externalmemories 250.

The control module 200 includes an interface 201, a processor, and aninternal memory 209. The processor includes an application processor(AP) 203, a WiFi modem processor (WP) 205, and a cellular modemprocessor (CP) 207. The AP 203, the WP 205, and the CP 207 performcommunications by way of inter processor communications (IPCs).

The AP 203, the WP 205, and the CP 207, constituting the processor, maybe configured on separate integrated chip sets, respectively, or some orall thereof may be configured in a single integrated chip set.

For example, the AP 203, the WP 205, and the CP 207 may be embedded in asingle chip set, or the WP 205 and the CP 207 can be embedded in asingle chip set while the AP 203 can be embedded in a separate chip set.The AP 203 and the CP 207 may be embedded in a single chip set while theWP 205 can be embedded in a separate chip set, or the AP 203 and the WP205 may be embedded in a single chip set while the CP 207 can beembedded in a separate chip set.

However, although two or three processors are embedded in a single chipset, each module may be independently operated, and power control may beconducted per module. The AP 203 needs interfaces with the WP 205 andthe CP 207. An interface may be present between the WP 205 and the CP207, or no interface may be provided therebetween.

The interface 201, the AP 203, the WP 205, the CP 207, and the internalmemory 209, constituting the control module 200, may be integrated in atleast one circuit or implemented in separate components. There may bemultiple APs 203, multiple WPs 205, or multiple internal memories 209.

The AP 203 controls a multimedia service and a user interface (UI) usingat least one software program. The AP 203 processes data communicatedthrough a cellular network or WiFi network using an IP multimediasubsystem (IMS) stored in at least one of the internal memory 209 andthe external memory 250. The AP 203 provides, e.g., a multimedia serviceor voice service. For example, if there is no interface between the WP205 and the CP 207, the AP 203 supports a voice service that is aprovided by the WP 205. That is, when there is no interface between theWP 205 and the CP 207, the AP 203 establishes or releases a path for aVoWiFi service based on a predetermined operation mode and handovercondition.

The CP 207 processes voice signals and data communicated through thecellular network. If there is an interface between the CP 207 and the WP205, the CP 207 supports a VoWiFi service that is a voice serviceprovided by the WP 205. In such an instance, the CP 207 may include acommunication protocol and a codec.

If there is an interface between the WP 205 and the CP 207, the CP 207may selectively configure a path for VoLTE service and a path for VoWiFiservice based on the predetermined operation mode and handovercondition. When there is no interface between the WP 205 and the CP 207,the AP 207 establishes or releases a path for a VoLTE service based on apredetermined operation mode and handover condition.

The CP 207 controls an instant messaging service (IMS) using at leastone IMS protocol stored in at least one of the internal memory 209 andthe external memory 250. For example, the CP 207 supports at least oneIMS defined in the IMS standards, from among Session Initiation Protocol(SIP), Session Description Protocol (SDP), Real-time Transfer Protocol(RTP), Real Time Control Protocol (RTCP), Message Session Relay Protocol(MSRP), Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Real Time StreamingProtocol (RTSP) and Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP), andTransmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). The CP 207supports the same IMS protocol as that of the AP 203 or only someprotocols necessary for IMS services.

The WP 205 processes voice signals and data communicated through theWiFi network. The WP 205 supports a VoWiFi service through the CP 207when there is an interface with the CP 207. When there is no interfacewith the CP 207, the WP 205 supports the VoWiFi service through the AP203.

The WP 205 selectively configures a path for the VoWiFi service based onthe predetermined operation mode and handover condition. For example,when there is an interface with the CP 207, the WP 205 connects the pathfor the VoWiFi service to the CP 207. When there is no interface withthe CP 207, the WP 205 connects the path for the VoWiFi service to theAP 203.

The interface 201 connects an input/output peripheral device of theterminal with at least one of the AP 203, the WP 205, and the CP 207.

The internal memory 209 and the external memory 250 store a program forcontrolling the operation of the terminal, data generated as theterminal operates, and multimedia content. For example, the programincludes an operating system program, a communication program, a graphicprogram, a user interface (UI) program, a protocol, a codec, and atleast one application program.

The memory storing the protocol may separately store the respectiveprotocols of the AP 203, the WP 205, and the CP 207. The at least oneapplication program is a set of commands and may be represented as aninstruction set.

The internal memory 209 may be configured separate from the AP 203, theWP 205, and the CP 207 or may be included in at least one of the AP 203,the WP 205, and the CP 207. The IMS service may be provided using atleast one IMS protocol stored in an internal memory of each of the AP203, the WP 205, and the CP 207 and TCP/IP.

The speaker/microphone 210 inputs/outputs audio signals. Although notshown, the terminal may input/output audio signals using any one of anearphone, a head phone, and a head set connected to the terminal throughan external port.

The RF module 220 performs communication functions for voicecommunications and data communications. The RF module 220 may includemultiple sub-modules for wireless communications, such as an antenna, atransceiver, and an RF sub-module. The RF module 220 may be separatedinto multiple communication sub-modules that support differentcommunication networks. For example, the communication networks mayinclude a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) network, anEnhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE) network, a Code Division MultipleAccess (CDMA) network, a Wideband-Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA)network, a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, an Orthogonal FrequencyDivision Multiple Access (OFDMA) network, a wireless LAN, a Bluetoothnetwork, and a Near Field Communication (NFC).

The input device 230 provides input data generated by the user'sselection to the control module 200. For example, the input device 230may be configured to include only a control button for controlling theterminal. As another example, the input device 230 may include a keypadfor receiving input data from the user.

The touch screen 240 is an input/output device for inputting andoutputting information and includes a display unit 242 and a touch inputunit 244.

The display unit 242 displays information regarding the state of theterminal, text input by the user, moving pictures, and still pictures.The touch input unit 244 provides touch information sensed by a touchpanel to the control module 200. The touch input unit 244 provides touchinformation created by a touch pen or finger to the control module 200.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the AP 203, the WP 205, and theCP 207, according to an embodiment of the present invention.Hereinafter, it is assumed that an IMS service is provided using TCP/IPand at least one IMS protocol stored in the respective internal memoriesof the AP 203, the WP 205, and the CP 207.

Referring to FIG. 3, the AP 203 performs the overall control of theterminal for providing, e.g., a multimedia service or voice service,using at least one software program. For example, the AP 203 includes anapplication layer 300, a library layer 320, and an application frameworklayer 310. The AP 203 may further include components other than thoseshown.

The application layer 300 represents an area where application programsare driven. For example, the application layer 300 drives an IMSapplication program, a non-IMS application program, and an applicationexecutable on the terminal (e.g., a phone application).

The application framework layer 310 connects the application layer 300with the library layer 320.

The library layer 320 includes modules necessary for providing an IMSservice, such as an IMS library 322, an IMS service control unit 324, amedia engine 1 326, and a TCP/IP 328. The library layer 320 may furtherinclude components other than those shown.

The IMS library 322 includes devices and software necessary for drivingan IMS application program and an IMS protocol stack 1. For example, theIMS protocol stack 1 includes protocols defined in the IMS standardssuch as SIP, SDP, RTP, RTCP, RTSP, MSRP, and HTTP.

The IMS service control unit 324 determines whether to use the IMSprotocol stack 1 and the media engine 1 326 included in the AP 203 andthe IMS protocol stack 2 344 and the media engine 2 342 included in theCP 207 in order to provide an IMS service. For example, the IMS servicecontrol unit 324 controls the IMS protocol stack 1 of the AP 203 tointeract with the application program while serving as a master in orderto provide an IMS service. The IMS service control unit 324 controls thedrive of the IMS protocol stack 2 344 and media engine 2 342 of the CP207 in order to provide an IMS service.

The media engine 1 326 includes devices and software necessary forprocessing video data and audio data. For example, the media engine 1326 includes at least one of a video engine including devices andsoftware necessary for processing video data and an audio engineincluding a device and software necessary for processing audio data.

The CP 207 includes a modem transceiver 348 which processescommunications with an external base station. For example, the modemtransceiver 348 includes multiple sub-modules, such as an interface withan RF system, a physical layer, and a modem protocol stack. The modemtransceiver 348 may be separated into multiple communication sub-modulesthat are supportive of different communication networks.

The CP 207 includes a media engine 2 342, an IMS protocol stack 2 344,and a TCP/IP 346 for processing IMS data in order to provide an IMSservice. The CP 207 may further include components other than thoseshown.

The AP 203 includes an IMS protocol stack 1 for processing IMS data, andthe CP 207 includes the IMS protocol stack 2 344 for processing IMSdata. The IMS protocol stack 1 and the IMS protocol stack 344 likewiseinclude all the IMS protocols necessary for an IMS service.

The IMS protocol stack 2 344 may be configured as a subset of the IMSprotocol stack 1. That is, the IMS protocol stack 1 may include all ofthe IMS protocols necessary for an IMS service, and the IMS protocolstack 2 344 may include some of the IMS protocols necessary for the IMSservice. Specifically, the IMS protocol stack 2 344 may include anRTP/RTCP protocol or some functions of an SIP protocol and the RTP/RTCPprotocol. However, the IMS protocol stack 1 and the IMS protocol stack 2344 may include different IMS protocols.

The AP 203 includes the media engine 1 326, and the CP 207 includes themedia engine 2 342. The media engine 1 326 and the media engine 2 342likewise include a video engine and an audio engine. As another example,the media engine 1 326 may include a video engine and an audio engine,and the media engine 2 342 may include an audio engine. As still anotherexample, the media engine 1 326 may include a video engine, and themedia engine 2 342 may include an audio engine.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a path for a voiceservice, in case there is an interface between the WP 205 and the CP 207constituting the terminal, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 4 illustrates an example of selecting a path in the CP207 depending on which type of voice service applies from among a VoLTEservice and a VoWiFi service for a voice call. The selection of a pathfor a voice service in the CP 207 may be done upon establishing aninitial call or when changing the type of voice service according tohandover.

For example, the CP 207 determines whether to conduct handover forchanging the type of voice service being currently provided, apredetermined operation mode and handover condition. When the type ofvoice service to be provided is changed due to handover, the CP 207configures a path appropriate for the changed voice service. The type ofvoice services that is changeable by the CP 207 includes a VoLTE serviceand a VoWiFi service.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a path for a voiceservice, in case there is no interface between the WP 205 and the CP 207constituting the terminal, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 5 illustrates an example of selecting a path by the CP207 and a path by the AP 203 depending on which type of voice serviceapplies from among a VoLTE service and a VoWiFi service for a voicecall.

For example, when a voice call is determined to be the VoLTE service,the CP 207 configures a path for the VoLTE service. When the voice callis determined to be the VoWiFi service, the AP 203 configures a path foroffering the voice call to the WP 205 based on the VoWiFi service.

Configuring a path depending on the type of voice service as describedabove may be varied through handover. The handover may be determinedbased on a predetermined operation mode, the type of a voice servicebeing provided, and a handover condition. That is, the path for the CP207 to provide a voice call based on the VoLTE service and the path forthe AP 203 to provide a voice service based on the VoWiFi service may beselected considering a predetermined operation mode, the type of a voiceservice being provided, and a handover condition.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of a control flow in which aterminal configures an operation mode for a voice call service in amobile wireless network, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention In the following description, it is assumed that the operationmode includes only the cellular preferred mode, WiFi preferred mode,cellular only mode, and WiFi only mode.

Referring to FIG. 6, the terminal monitors whether an operation mode fora voice call service is requested, at step 610. Configuring theoperation mode may be requested by manipulating the terminal or bycontrol information coming from a remote site connected over a network.

When the operation mode is requested, the terminal receives selectioninformation regarding an operation mode to be configured, at step 612.The selection information may be input by directly manipulating theterminal or by the control information received through the network. Forexample, the selection information for selecting an operation mode isinformation for selecting one of the cellular preferred mode, the WiFipreferred mode, the cellular only mode, and the WiFi only mode.

The terminal configures the operation mode for a voice call servicecorresponding to the selected operation mode, at step 614. The terminaldetermines whether the operation mode configuration has been completed,at step 616. The completion of the operation mode configuration may beindicated by the user or by control information received from the remotesite, such as when the operation mode is requested.

The terminal, when the operation mode configuration is incomplete,performs a procedure for changing the earlier configured operation modeto other operation modes, at steps 612 and 614. The terminal, upondetermining that the operation mode configuration has been completed,terminates the whole procedure for configuring the operation mode.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of a control flow for aterminal to provide a voice service in heterogeneous wireless networks,according to an embodiment of the present invention. The terminal ispresumed to support a VoLTE service and a VoWiFi service. The terminalmay perform the same operation even under the situation where theterminal offers voice services based on 2G, 3G, or other typicalcellular networks.

Referring to FIG. 7, the terminal determines whether a voice callrequest occurs, at step 710. A voice call request, as per amobile-originated (MO) call from the user and a voice call request asper a mobile-terminated (MT) call, both, are taken into account. Duringthe voice call request, it is assumed that the terminal remains attachedto the LTE network, the terminal is associated with the packet datanetwork (PDN), and the voice call request has been done with IMSregistration.

The terminal, when a voice call is requested, identifies operation modesconfigured for a voice service, at step 712. The operation modes areconfigurable for a voice service and include the cellular preferredmode, the WiFi preferred mode, the cellular only mode, and the WiFi onlymode.

When identifying the operation modes, the terminal determines which oneof the cellular preferred mode, the WiFi preferred mode, the cellularonly mode, and the WiFi only mode is the identified operation mode, atsteps 714 to 720.

For example, the terminal, upon determining that the cellular preferredmode has been configured, at step 714, performs the operationcorresponding to the cellular preferred mode sub-routine, at step 722.The terminal, upon determining that the WiFi preferred mode has beenconfigured, at step 716, performs the operation corresponding to theWiFi preferred mode sub-routine at step 724. The terminal, upondetermining that the cellular only mode has been configured, at step718, performs the operation corresponding to the cellular only modesub-routine at step 726. The terminal, upon determining that the WiFionly mode has been configured, at step 720, performs the operationcorresponding to the WiFi only mode sub-routine at step 728.

When the voice service is complete through the sub-routine correspondingto the configured operation mode, the terminal terminates the voicecall, at step 730.

As set forth above, the terminal, upon generation of an incoming oroutgoing voice call, determines whether the voice call comes from theVoLTE service or from VoWiFi service.

For example, the terminal, upon creation of a voice call, identifieswhat operation mode has been configured for the voice service. If theoperation mode has been set to the cellular preferred mode or thecellular only mode, the terminal determines that the voice call isprocessed by the VoLTE service. If the operation mode has been set tothe WiFi preferred mode or the WiFi only mode, the terminal determinesthat the voice call is processed by the VoWiFi service.

Even when the operation mode has been set to the cellular preferredmode, the terminal may process the voice call through the VoWiFiservice, and even when the operation mode has been set to the WiFipreferred mode, the terminal may process the voice call through theVoLTE service.

For example, if the operation mode has been set to the cellularpreferred mode, upon failure to meet a condition configured for theVoLTE service, the terminal uses the VoWiFi service. The conditionconfigured for the VoLTE service may be a condition configured todetermine the minimum wireless communication environment required forthe VoLTE service. That is, the condition configured for the VoLTEservice corresponds to a condition for determining that it is impossibleto connect the voice call by the VoLTE service.

If the operation mode has been set to the WiFi preferred mode, uponfailure to meet a condition configured for the VoWiFi service, theterminal provides the VoLTE service. The condition configured for theVoWiFi service may be a condition configured to determine the minimumwireless communication environment required for the VoWiFi service. Thatis, the condition configured for the VoWiFi service corresponds to acondition for determining that it is impossible to connect the voicecall by the VoWiFi service.

A representative condition for determining that connecting the voicecall is impossible may be, for example, the strength of a signaltransmitted from the LTE network or WiFi network. In other words, if thestrength of a signal coming from the LTE network or WiFi network isinsufficient to support the voice service, the terminal determines thatconnecting the voice call is impossible. Additionally, a congestion ofthe LTE network or WiFi network, packet error rate, or interference, asdescribed above, may also be used to prepare conditions for determiningthat connecting the voice call is impossible.

If the operation mode has been set to the cellular only mode or the WiFionly mode, the terminal determines that the voice call is processedthrough the VoLTE service or VoWiFi service by the configured operationmode, without considering the wireless communication environment of theLTE network or WiFi network.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of a control flow in which aterminal provides a voice service by a cellular preferred modesubroutine, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Theterminal is presumed to support a VoLTE service and a VoWiFi service.The terminal may perform the same operation even under the situationwhere the terminal offers voice services based on 2G, 3G, or othertypical cellular networks.

Referring to FIG. 8, the terminal establishes a call for a VoLTEservice, at step 810. This includes establishing a path for a voiceservice that is responsive to an incoming call or outgoing call, anddetermining power control based on the established path.

For example, if the call is established for a VoLTE service, the CP 207forms a voice service path to perform a voice call based on the VoLTEservice. Examples of the voice service path formed for the VoLTE serviceare shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Moreover, if the call is established for theVoLTE service, the AP 203 and the WP 205, which are not involved in thevoice service, are set to power saving mode in order to minimize powerconsumed by the AP 203 and the WP 205.

If the call established for the VoLTE service is selected, the terminalperforms a voice call through the VoLTE service, at step 812. That is,the user conducts the VoLTE service-based voice call through theterminal.

While the voice call is in progress, the terminal determines whether thevoice call is terminated, at step 814. Upon determining termination ofthe voice call, the terminal goes back to the main routine to terminatethe voice call.

If the voice call continues, the terminal determines whether a situationmeeting the first handover condition occurs, at step 816. The firsthandover condition may be previously configured and is a handovercondition that allows the terminal to switch the voice service fromVoLTE service to VoWiFi service, under circumstances where the operationmode has been set to the cellular preferred mode.

For example, the AP 203, to support a VoWiFi service, may be selectedtaking into consideration the AP 203 throughput estimation, RTD,terminal mobility, and packet error rate of the first handovercondition. The AP's 203 throughput may be estimated assuming the AP's203 connection to backbone, the AP's 203 congestion, SNIR of the AP 203signal and variation, etc. The first handover condition has been setforth above.

The terminal, without any circumstances that meet the first handovercondition, repeats steps 812-716.

If circumstances meeting the first handover condition occur, theterminal performs handover for switching to VoWiFi service, at step 818.In other words, the terminal reconfigures the voice service path to apath for VoWiFi service and performs power control according to thereconfigured path.

For example, since the handover is for VoWiFi service, the AP 203 or CP207 forms a voice service path to conduct the voice call based on theVoWiFi service. Examples of the voice service path formed for the VoWiFiservice are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The voice service path for VoWiFiservice shown in FIG. 4 relates to when there is an interface betweenthe WP 205 and the CP 207. The voice service path for VoWiFi serviceshown in FIG. 5 relates to when there is no interface between the WP 25and the CP 207. Since the handover is for the VoWiFi service, the AP 203and the WP 205, which are not involved in the voice service, are set topower saving mode in order to minimize power consumed by the AP 203 andthe WP 207.

If the handover for the VoWiFi service is complete, the terminalperforms a voice call through the VoWiFi service, at step 820. While theVoWiFi service-based voice call is in progress, the terminal monitorswhether the voice call is terminated, at step 822. Upon sensing thetermination of the voice call, the terminal goes back to the mainroutine to terminate the voice call.

If the voice call continues, the terminal determines whether a situationmeeting the second handover condition occurs, at step 824. The secondhandover condition may be previously configured and is a handovercondition for switching the voice service from VoWiFi service to VoLTEservice under circumstances where the operation mode has been set to thecellular preferred mode.

For example, since the operation mode has been set to the cellularpreferred mode, it may be preferable that the second handover conditionis configured to be able to determine whether the LTE network providesthe minimum signal quality for voice call.

If circumstances meeting the second handover condition occur, theterminal performs handover for switching the voice service to VoLTEservice, at step 826. In other words, the terminal reconfigures thevoice service path to a path for VoLTE service and performs powercontrol according to the reconfigured path.

For example, since the handover is for a VoLTE service, the voiceservice path is formed so that the AP 203 and the CP 207 perform a voicecall based on the VoLTE service. Examples of the voice service pathformed for the VoLTE service are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Since the callestablishment is for the VoLTE service, the AP 203 and the WP 205, whichare not involved in the voice service, are set to power saving mode inorder to minimize power consumed by the AP 203 and the WP 205.

When the handover for VoLTE service is complete, the terminal advancesto step 812 to conduct a VoLTE service-based voice call through theconfigured voice service path.

The terminal, without any circumstances that meet the second handovercondition, repeats steps 820-824.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of a control flow in which aterminal provides a voice service by a WiFi preferred mode sub-routine,according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, the terminalis presumed to support a VoLTE service and a VoWiFi service. Of course,the terminal may perform the same operation even under the situationwhere the terminal offers voice services based on 2G, 3G, or othertypical cellular networks.

Referring to FIG. 9, the terminal determines whether the voice callrequest originates from an incoming call or from an outgoing call, atstep 910. For example, the incoming call corresponds to a voice callrequest from the outside through the LTE network. The outgoing callcorresponds to a request that is made in response to the user's requestby the terminal for a voice call with an external terminal through theLTE network or WiFi network.

For the incoming call, the voice call should be done based on the VoLTEservice. For the outgoing call, the voice call should be done based onone of the VoLTE service and the VoWiFi service when the VoWiFi serviceis available.

If the voice call request comes from the outgoing call, the terminaldetermines whether provision of the VoWiFi service is possible, at step912. For example, since the operation mode has been set to the WiFipreferred mode, it is preferable to determine whether the provision ofthe VoWiFi service is possible based on whether the WiFi networkprovides the minimum signal quality for a voice call.

In case the provision of the VoWiFi service is possible, the terminalconducts a call establishment for the VoWiFi service, at step 914. Thecall establishment includes establishing a path responsive to anoutgoing call and power control considering the established path.

For example, since the call establishment is for VoWiFi service, a voiceservice path is formed so that the AP 203 or CP 207 conduct the voicecall based on the VoWiFi service. Examples of the voice service pathformed for the VoWiFi service are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The voiceservice path for VoWiFi service shown in FIG. 4 relates to when there isan interface between the WP 205 and the CP 207. The voice service pathfor VoWiFi service shown in FIG. 5 relates to when there is no interfacebetween the WP 205 and the CP 207. Since the handover is for the VoWiFiservice, the AP 203 or the WP 205, which is not involved in the voiceservice, is set to power saving mode in order to minimize power consumedby the AP 203 or CP 207.

When the handover for VoWiFi service is done, the terminal conducts theVoWiFi service-based voice call through the voice service pathestablished at step 916. While the VoWiFi service-based voice call is inprogress, the terminal monitors whether the voice call is terminated, atstep 918. Upon sensing the termination of the voice call, the terminalgoes back to the main routine to terminate the voice call.

If the voice call continues, the terminal determines whether a situationmeeting the fourth handover condition occurs, at step 920. The fourthhandover condition may be previously configured and is a handovercondition prepared for the terminal to switch from VoWiFi service toVoLTE service under circumstances where the operation mode has been setto the WiFi preferred mode.

For example, since the operation mode has been set to the WiFi preferredmode, the fourth handover condition may be configured to determinewhether the LTE network provides the signal quality enough to be able tostably provide a voice call. For example, the signal quality used as areference of the fourth handover condition is the signal quality of theLTE network and may be determined by, e.g., SINR, congestion, or packeterror rate.

Upon meeting the fourth handover condition, the terminal performshandover for switching the voice service to VoLTE service, at step 922.In other words, the terminal reconfigures the voice service path to apath for VoLTE service and performs power control according to thereconfigured path.

For example, since the handover is for a VoLTE service, the voiceservice path is formed so that the AP 203 and the WP 205 conduct thevoice call based on the VoLTE service. Examples of the voice servicepath formed for the VoLTE service are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Since thecall establishment is for the VoLTE service, the AP 203 and the WP 205,which are not involved in the voice service, are set to power savingmode in order to minimize power consumed by the AP 203 and the WP 205.

When the handover for VoLTE service is complete, the terminal advancesto step 926 to conduct a VoLTE service-based voice call through theconfigured voice service path.

The terminal, without any circumstances that meet the fourth handovercondition, repeats steps 916-920.

In case the voice call request is determined to originate from anincoming call or provision of a VoWiFi service-based voice call isimpossible, the terminal establishes a call for VoLTE service, at step924. The call establishment includes establishing a path for a voiceservice responsive to an incoming call or outgoing call and powercontrol considering the established path.

For example, since the call establishment is for a VoLTE service, thevoice service path is formed so that the CP 207 conducts a VoLTEservice-based voice call. Examples of the voice service path formed forthe VoLTE service are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Since the callestablishment is for the VoLTE service, the AP 203 and the WP 205, whichare not involved in the voice service, are set to power saving mode inorder to minimize power consumed by the AP 203 and the WP 205.

If the call establishment for the VoLTE service is done, the terminalperforms a voice call through the VoLTE service, at step 926. That is,the user conducts the VoLTE service-based voice call through theterminal.

While the voice call goes on, the terminal monitors whether the voicecall is terminated, at step 928. Upon sensing the termination of thevoice call, the terminal goes back to the main routine to terminate thevoice call.

If the voice call continues, the terminal determines whether a situationmeeting the third handover condition occurs, at step 930. The thirdhandover condition may be previously configured and is a handovercondition prepared for the terminal to switch the voice service fromVoLTE service to VoWiFi service under circumstances where the operationmode has been set to the WiFi preferred mode.

For example, since the operation mode has been set to the WiFi preferredmode, it may be preferable that the third handover condition isconfigured to be able to determine whether the LTE network provides theminimum signal quality for voice call.

The terminal, without any circumstances that meet the third handovercondition, repeats steps 926-930.

If circumstances meeting the third handover condition occur, theterminal performs handover for switching the voice service to VoWiFiservice, at step 932. In other words, the terminal reconfigures thevoice service path to a path for VoWiFi service and performs powercontrol according to the reconfigured path.

For example, since the handover is for VoWiFi service, the AP 203 or CP207 form a voice service path to be able to conduct the voice call basedon the VoWiFi service. Examples of the voice service path formed for theVoWiFi service are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Since the handover is for theVoWiFi service, the AP 203 or the WP 205, which is not involved in thevoice service, are set to power saving mode in order to minimize powerconsumed by the AP 203 or the CP 207.

When the handover for VoWiFi service is complete, the terminal advancesto step 916 to conduct a VoWiFi service-based voice call through theconfigured voice service path. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating amethod of a control flow in which a terminal provides a voice service bya WiFi only mode sub-routine, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. Here, the terminal is presumed to support a VoLTE service. Ofcourse, the terminal may perform the same operation even under thesituation where the terminal offers voice services based on 2G, 3G, orother typical cellular networks.

Referring to FIG. 10, the terminal establishes a call for a VoLTEservice, at step 1010. The call establishment includes establishing apath for a voice service responsive to an incoming call or outgoing calland power control considering the established path.

For example, since the call establishment is for a VoLTE service, thevoice service path is formed so that the CP 207 performs a voice callbased on the VoLTE service. Examples of the voice service path formedfor the VoLTE service are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Since the callestablishment is for the VoLTE service, the AP 203 and the WP 205, whichare not involved in the voice service, are set to power saving mode inorder to minimize power consumed by the AP 203 and the WP 205.

If the call establishment for the VoLTE service is done, the terminalperforms a voice call through the VoLTE service, at step 1012. That is,the user conducts the VoLTE service-based voice call through histerminal.

While the voice call is in progress, the terminal monitors whether thevoice call is terminated, at step 1014. Upon sensing the termination ofthe voice call, the terminal goes back to the main routine to terminatethe voice call.

Since the operation mode has been set to the cellular only mode, theterminal need not determine whether handover for changing services isrequired under the situation where the voice call keeps on.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method of a control flow in whicha terminal provides a voice service by a WiFi only mode sub-routine,according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, the terminalis presumed to support a VoWiFi service.

Referring to FIG. 11, the terminal establishes a call for a VoWiFiservice, at step 1110. The call establishment includes establishing apath for a voice service responsive to an outgoing call for voice calland power control considering the established path.

For example, since the handover is for VoWiFi service, the voice servicepath is formed so that the AP 203 or CP 207 conducts the VoWiFi service.Examples of the voice service path formed for the VoWiFi service areshown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Since the handover is for the VoWiFi service,the AP 203 or the WP 205, which is not involved in the voice service, isset to power saving mode in order to minimize power consumed by the AP203 or CP 207.

When the handover for VoWiFi service is done, the terminal conducts theVoWiFi service-based voice call through the voice service pathestablished at step 1112.

While the voice call continues, the terminal monitors whether the voicecall is terminated, at step 1114. Upon sensing the termination of thevoice call, the terminal goes back to the main routine to terminate thevoice call.

Since the operation mode has been set to the WiFi only mode, theterminal does not need to determine whether handover for changingservices is required under the situation where the voice call keeps on.

According to the above described operations, the terminal does notdetermine whether handover is required when the operation mode has beenset to the cellular only mode or WiFi only mode. Only when the operationmode has been set to the cellular preferred mode or WiFi preferred mode,the terminal may determine whether handover is required.

Different handover conditions for the terminal to determine whetherhandover is required may apply to the operation modes, respectively. Inother words, the handover condition for the cellular preferred mode maydiffer from the handover condition for the WiFi preferred mode. Thecellular preferred mode or the WiFi preferred mode may have differenthandover conditions depending on the type of a voice service providing avoice call. For example, the terminal with the operation mode set to thecellular preferred mode may have handover conditions that differ fromeach other depending on whether the type of voice service is the VoLTEservice or the VoWiFi service.

A handover procedure preparing for the situation where different typesof handover are simultaneously triggered is provided according toanother embodiment of the present invention. For example, the differenttypes of handover may include handover from LTE network to 2G or 3Gnetwork (SRVCC handover) and handover from LTE network to WiFi network(handover for switching from VoLTE service to VoWiFi service).

By way of example, when the user is home, SRVCC handover and handoverfor switching from VoLTE service to VoWiFi service may be simultaneouslytriggered. This may happen because the SRVCC handover is triggered bythe network and the handover for switching to VoWiFi service istriggered by the terminal.

Triggering the SRVCC handover may be caused by a deteriorated signalquality of the LTE network, and triggering the handover for switching toVoWiFi service may be caused by detection of the WiFi network (accesspoint).

Typically, in order to perform SRVCC handover, the base station (eNB) inthe LTE network determines the availability of the LTE network using aresult measured by the terminal. For example, the LTE network basestation (eNB) instructs the terminal to perform measurement on a legacynetwork and determines handover based on the result of the measurementperformed by the terminal in response to the instruction.

The SRVCC handover procedure is described. The MME sends a ‘PS to CShandover request’ to the MSC of the legacy network. The ‘PS to CShandover request’ is to request handover from packet switching (PS) modeto circuit switching (CS) mode.

The MSC determines whether to do handover, preparations for handover,and then requests the IMS server to perform a session transfer. The IMSserver performs the session transfer and releases the IMS access legconnecting the LTE network. The MSC sends a ‘PS to CS handover response’to the MME. When sending the ‘PS to CS handover response’ to the MME,the MSC transfers information necessary for handover to the MME.

After receiving the handover instruction, the terminal accesses thelegacy network and sends a handover complete message, enabling a voicecall through the legacy network.

The foregoing that SRVCC handover is a scheme separately carried outwithout a sync between the handover on the network and the handover onthe terminal.

The handover for switching from VoLTE service to VoWiFi service istriggered by the terminal's determination on handover conditions. Forexample, in a case of the WiFi network interworking with the corenetwork of the LTE network by way of an ePDG upon handover to VoWiFiservice, the terminal may access the PGW through the authenticationprocedure defined in the standards. The PGW, upon receiving the handoverrequest from the terminal through the ePDG, switches the data path fromthe LTE network to the WiFi network through the ePDG, performinghandover.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a handover, e.g., predicted inheterogeneous wireless networks, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. Assume that the heterogeneous wireless networksinclude a WiFi network, an LTE network, and a 2G or 3G network(hereinafter, collectively referred to as a ‘3G network’).

Referring to FIG. 12, the scenario assumes that the terminal shifts tothe position where handover from the LTE network to the 3G network(SRVCC handover) and handover from the LTE network to the WiFi network(hereinafter, referred to as ‘VoWiFi handover’) are both available.

The SRVCC handover is processed by the MME, MSC, and IMS server, and theVoWiFi handover is processed by the ePDG and PGW. Since the SRVCChandover is triggered by the network, and the VoWiFi handover istriggered by the terminal, a situation where the SRVCC handover and theVoWiFi handover are simultaneously triggered may happen. It is difficultfor both the network and the terminal to identify the situation wheredifferent types of handover are simultaneously triggered.

For example, in a case where the terminal triggers VoWiFi handover whilepreparing for SRVCC handover, the PGW switches the data path to the WiFinetwork. In such a case, the MSC transmits to the IMS server a ‘sessiontransfer request’ for requesting a session transfer. The IMS serverreleases the access leg to the PGW.

The terminal receives an SRVCC handover command after VoWiFi handover istriggered, or handover for a VoWiFi service may be triggered after theterminal receives an SRVCC handover command.

As described above, in a case where the two types of handover aresimultaneously performed, the handover might not be normally done. Forexample, in a case where the terminal triggers the VoWiFi handover whilepreparing for the SRVCC handover (i.e., before the handover command istransmitted to the terminal), the MSC sends a ‘PS to CS handoverresponse’ to the MME.

The transmission of the ‘PS to CS handover response’ by the MSC is madeafter the PGW has switched the voice path to the WiFi network. As such,the VoLTE service will have been already released. Thus, the SRVCChandover cannot be performed. In other words, although the terminal hascompleted the VoWiFi handover, the IMS server performs the sessiontransfer, and thus the access leg to the WiFi network is released.Therefore, the voice call drops. In some situations, the IMS serverperforms the PS to CS session transfer, and the terminal might notperform the SRVCC handover.

In order to properly perform handover when different types of handoversimultaneously occur, the terminal determines whether the VoWiFihandover is triggered at each stage of the SRVCC handover procedure.

FIG. 13 illustrates examples of sections where recognition is requiredby a terminal in an SRVCC handover procedure, according to an embodimentof the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 13, the SRVCC handover procedure is differentiatedaccording to IRAT measurement command 1300, IRAT measurement report1302, handover command 1304, and handover complete 1306. As an example,the SRVCC handover procedure is separated into a section before an IRATmeasurement command is transmitted, at position (1), a section before anIRAT measurement is reported after the IRAT measurement command has beentransmitted, at position (2), a section before a handover command istransmitted after the IRAT measurement has been reported, at position(3), a section before handover is complete after the handover commandhas been transmitted, at position (4), and a section where the handoveris complete, at position (5).

The WiFi preferred mode requires VoWiFi handover to be considered inpreference to SRVCC handover.

First, in a case where the conditions for VoWiFi handover are met beforethe IRAT measurement command is received, at position (1), or before theIRAT measurement report is sent although the IRAT measurement commandhas been received, at position (2), the terminal performs the VoWiFihandover without sending out the IRAT measurement report.

If the VoWiFi handover is complete, the data link to the LTE network forVoLTE service is released, and the LTE network terminates the procedurefor SRVCC handover. The terminal attempts to do VoWiFi handover. Uponfailure, the terminal performs IRAT measurement and sends the IRATmeasurement report for reporting the result of the IRAT measurement toenable the SRVCC handover procedure to be normally carried out.

Second, in a case where the conditions for VoWiFi handover are met afterthe IRAT measurement report has been already sent out, at position (2),the network might have already prepared for SRVCC handover, and thus, aconflict may occur. This is why if the SRVCC handover were beingprepared, although the VoWiFi handover had been successfully completed,the voice call would be dropped. In such a case, the terminal conductsVoWiFi handover at any rate. Unless voice packets are properly receivedeven after VoWiFi handover has been successfully done, the terminaldeems that session transfer has been successfully done in the IMSserver. At this time, the terminal sends an invite message to the IMSserver to request a session transfer to the PS domain.

Third, the terminal may delay triggering VoWiFi handover for apredetermined time to examine whether a handover command is received, atposition (4).

In a case where the conditions for VoWiFi handover are met before thehandover complete message is sent out after the handover command hasbeen received, at position (4), the terminal conducts VoWiFi handoverwithout sending out a handover complete message. Unless normal voicepackets are received after the VoWiFi handover has been done, theterminal sends an invite message to the IMS server to request a sessiontransfer to the PS domain.

Fifth, in a case where the conditions for VoWiFi handover are met afterthe terminal has sent out the handover complete message, at position(5), the terminal carries out CS voice to VoWiFi handover (SRVCC) if thenetwork is supportive of the same.

Next, the cellular preferred mode requires SRVCC handover to beconsidered in preference to VoWiFi handover.

For example, once an IRAT measurement command has been issued from thenetwork, different handover conditions from existing handover conditionsmay apply to the LTE network. In other words, the LTE network and theWiFi network, even when satisfying existing VoLTE to VoWiFi handoverconditions, wait for the SRVCC handover to be triggered withoutconducting LTE to VoWiFi handover. Thereafter, the SRVCC handover, iftriggered, is carried out. However, in a case where the LTE network isdeteriorated to the extent that it cannot receive a command as per SRVCChandover (a new handover condition), VoWiFi handover is performed.

While the present invention has been shown and described with referenceto certain embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilledin the art that many variations and modifications of the method andapparatus described herein will still fall within the spirit and scopeof the present invention as defined in the appended claims and theirequivalents.

1. (canceled)
 2. A portable communication device comprising: a firstcommunication circuitry corresponding to a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi)network; a second communication circuitry corresponding to a cellularnetwork; and a processor adapted to: while a voice call is performed viathe Wi-Fi network in a selected one operation mode of a plurality ofoperation modes, determine that the cellular network is available forthe voice call based at least in part on state information related tothe cellular network, the plurality of operation modes including a firstoperation mode corresponding to the Wi-Fi network and a second operationmode corresponding to the cellular network; if the selected oneoperation mode corresponds to the first operation mode and the cellularnetwork is available for the voice call, determine that stateinformation related to the Wi-Fi network satisfies a specified conditionassociated with the first operation mode; and based at least in part onthe determining that the state information related to the Wi-Fi networksatisfies the specified condition, maintain, using the firstcommunication circuitry, the voice call via the Wi-Fi network.
 3. Theportable communication device of claim 2, wherein the processor isfurther adapted to: obtain, using the first communication circuitry,signal quality information corresponding to the Wi-Fi network while thevoice call is performed via the Wi-Fi network; and identify the signalquality information as at least part of the state information related tothe Wi-Fi network.
 4. The portable communication device of claim 3,wherein the processor is further adapted to: as at least part of thedetermining that the state information related to the Wi-Fi networksatisfies the specified condition, determine that the signal qualityinformation exceeds a threshold associated with the Wi-Fi network. 5.The portable communication device of claim 2, wherein the processor isfurther adapted to: obtain, using the second communication circuitry,signal quality information corresponding to the cellular network whilethe voice call is performed via the Wi-Fi network; and identify thesignal quality information as at least part of the state informationrelated to the cellular network.
 6. The portable communication device ofclaim 2, further comprising a touchscreen display, wherein the processoris further adapted to: select the one operation mode of the plurality ofoperation modes based at least in part on a user input received via thetouchscreen display before the voice call is performed.
 7. The portablecommunication device of claim 2, wherein the processor is furtheradapted to: as at least part of the maintaining the voice call,refraining from performing a handover from the Wi-Fi network to thecellular network.
 8. The portable communication device of claim 2,wherein the processor is further adapted to: based at least in part on adetermination that the state information related to the Wi-Fi networkdoes not satisfy the specified condition, perform a handover from theWi-Fi network to the cellular network while the voice call ismaintained.
 9. The portable communication device of claim 8, wherein theprocessor is further adapted to: as at least part of the performing ofthe handover, perform, using the second communication circuitry, thevoice call via the cellular network.
 10. The portable communicationdevice of claim 2, wherein the processor is further adapted to: obtain,using the first communication circuitry, network delay informationcorresponding to the Wi-Fi network while the voice call is performed viathe Wi-Fi network; and identify the network delay information as atleast part of the state information related to the Wi-Fi network.
 11. Aportable communication device comprising: a first communicationcircuitry corresponding to a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) network; a secondcommunication circuitry corresponding to a cellular network; and aprocessor adapted to: while a voice call is performed via the cellularnetwork in a selected one operation mode of a plurality of operationmodes, detect the Wi-Fi network available for the voice call based atleast in part on state information related to the Wi-Fi network, theplurality of operation modes including a first operation modecorresponding to the Wi-Fi network and a second operation modecorresponding to the cellular network; if the selected one operationmode corresponds to the second operation mode and the Wi-Fi networkavailable for the voice call is detected, determine that stateinformation related to the cellular network satisfies a specifiedcondition associated with the second operation mode; and based at leastin part on the determining that the state information related to thecellular network satisfies the specified condition, maintain, using thesecond communication circuitry, the voice call via the cellular network.12. The portable communication device of claim 11, wherein the processoris further adapted to: obtain, using the second communication circuitry,signal quality information corresponding to the cellular network whilethe voice call is performed via the cellular network; and identify thesignal quality information as at least part of the state informationrelated to the cellular network.
 13. The portable communication deviceof claim 12, wherein the processor is further adapted to: as at leastpart of the determining that the state information related to thecellular network satisfies the specified condition, determine that thesignal quality information exceeds a threshold associated with thecellular network.
 14. The portable communication device of claim 11,wherein the processor is further adapted to: obtain, using the firstcommunication circuitry, signal quality information corresponding to theWi-Fi network while the voice call is performed via the cellularnetwork; and identify the signal quality information as at least part ofthe state information related to the Wi-Fi network.
 15. The portablecommunication device of claim 11, further comprising a touchscreendisplay, wherein the processor is further adapted to: select the oneoperation mode of the plurality of operation modes based at least inpart on a user input received via the touchscreen display before thevoice call is performed.
 16. The portable communication device of claim11, wherein the processor is further adapted to: as at least part of themaintaining the voice call, refraining from performing a handover fromthe cellular network to the Wi-Fi network.
 17. The portablecommunication device of claim 11, wherein the processor is furtheradapted to: based at least in part on a determination that the stateinformation related to the cellular network does not satisfy thespecified condition, perform a handover from the cellular network to theWi-Fi network while the voice call is maintained.
 18. The portablecommunication device of claim 17, wherein the processor is furtheradapted to: as at least part of the performing of the handover, perform,using the first communication circuitry, the voice call via the Wi-Finetwork.
 19. The portable communication device of claim 11, wherein theprocessor is further adapted to: obtain, using the second communicationcircuitry, network delay information corresponding to the cellularnetwork while the voice call is performed via the cellular network; andidentify network delay information as at least part of the stateinformation related to the cellular network.
 20. A portablecommunication device comprising: a first communication circuitrycorresponding to a first network; a second communication circuitrycorresponding to a second network; and a processor adapted to: while avoice call is performed via the first network in a selected oneoperation mode of a plurality of operation modes, determine that thesecond network is available for the voice call based at least in part onstate information related to the second network, the plurality ofoperation modes including a first operation mode corresponding to thefirst network and a second operation mode corresponding to the secondnetwork; if the selected one operation mode corresponds to the secondoperation mode and the second network is available for the voice call,determine that state information related to the first network satisfiesa specified condition associated with the second operation mode; andbased at least in part on the determining that the state informationrelated to the first network satisfies the specified condition, performa handover from the first network to the second network while the voicecall is maintained.
 21. The portable communication device of claim 20,further comprising a touchscreen display, wherein the processor isfurther adapted to: select the one operation mode of the plurality ofoperation modes based at least in part on a user input received via thetouchscreen display before the voice call is performed.